Helpfull tips for new Prowler owners

[halicat]

Many of us that have owned the Prowler for a while like to share some helpfull hints regarding some of the things that could happen to new owners.

kinda like do's and don'ts....

I thought we could each post a couple of things that will help the new guys out.....without dragging up every little negative thing and scaring the hell out of them....

lets keep it positive....

I use Mobil 1 full synthetic engine oil and Purolator PureONE oil filter to protect the engine and prevent the start up tick that many of the 3.5 liter engines are prone to.

Front mudflaps are a must.... they keep most of the stones and sand from chipping up the paint on the sides of the car and rear fenders. be cautious with the flaps on as reversing through a pothole can catch the flap between the tire and the hole and roll (bend) the fender bracket.

lets hear it folks !

[blackcat]

Watch out when parking the car or you WILL scrape the nose............

[Pepe]

Have ANOTHER car handy so you can actually GO grocery shopping :rll:

[pumpkin]

You will be better off by backing into a parking space,if you can.

[Snoman]

NEVER NEVER ................................................NE VER EVER let your wife drive it or you will need another!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:tu:

[Pepe]

NEVER NEVER ................................................NE VER EVER let your wife drive it or you will need another!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:tu:

.... and Sno is NOT kidding !! :shock:

[Dreamcast18]

Did the wives scratched the nose?? :rll: :rll:


.... and Sno is NOT kidding !! :shock:

[ME & MY KITTY]

When You Go To Get Gas, Pretend Like You Don't Speak English, You'll Be Held Up By People Asking Questions.

[1buddyc]

Dont forget that there are Radio Controls on the back of the Steering Wheel, like I did for the first 3 months...lol

[pumpkin]

Take speed bumps on an angle. The kats nose will love you for it.

[AC-INXS]

Ceramic front disc pads >> a must, unless you enjoy cleaning the front wheels every day!!! Change immediately,,,,,regardless of the mileage of the car if you don't already have them!

Remove the baffles out of the stock OEM exhaust tips >> drill out the rivets holding the baffles in place, and use pilars to pull them out. Makes the exhaust sound much better......

If cabin vision is causing you problems, remove the sun visors and windshield wipers [now we're talking a cleaner looking hot rod]. Be sure to clean the windshield good,,,,and put three [3] coats of Rain-X on the glass.

DO NOT slam the soft top into place when putting up the top >> you will break the plastic inserts in the windshield frame headrail.

Start making modifications to your car soon,,,,,you don't want to look like 10K other Prowlers, lol.

Its good to have AC on this thread,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, :tu:

[halicat]

Those ones are great AC....

I spent good money on the Borla system to only have the Carbon fiber tips to show for it... the Borla muffler gave it up after a year. I have taken the original stock muffler and drilled out the internal baffels with a 1 3/4" hole saw, then removed the insulation.

The sound is awesome !... its a great mod and only cost $30 for the tools.. :burnout :burnout

[pumpkin]

Make sure when you put your gas cap back on, tighten it until you hear a click. If the gas cap is not tight you will get a check engine light.

[halicat]

One thing I keep in the car, and would be a must if you go on a long cruise, is a set of transmission input and output sensors. You will also need to have a 1" deep socket. I have a printed set of instructions to do the job with the tools and sensors.

When they fail , you will be stuck in second gear.....

[pumpkin]

When you close the hood, lower to about a foot from close and let it drop. If you push down on the hood to latch it, you may in time dent the hood.:tu:

[pumpkin]

One thing I keep in the car, and would be a must if you go on a long cruise, is a set of transmission input and output sensors. You will also need to have a 1" deep socket. I have a printed set of instructions to do the job with the tools and sensors.

When they fail , you will be stuck in second gear.....

Good info Jim, the part from dealer # input--04800878
# output--04800879

Napa #input-tss200
# output--tss100

I believe Napa is a lot cheaper.

[halicat]

Its OK to use non-run flats, but make sure you keep a plug kit and a small 12volt compressor in the car in case you have a tire going down.

non-run flats improve the ride considerably....

[BLEW BUYOU]

DO NOT, under any circumstances, stick your head in a side window and release the seatback. You will miss the next 2 or 3 hours from the knockout!!!!

[Krzy Kat]

Carry a cigarette lighter air compressor and a patch kit. That way if you have run-flats or not ... you're good to go.

Don't let the valet park your car.

Remove the front bumpers :lol:

[pumpkin]

Drop the hood, don't push down on it. Lower to about a foot from closed position and let the hood drop and latch. You may dent it from the pushing on it.

[TooHipCat]

DO NOT slam the soft top into place when putting up the top >> you will break the plastic inserts in the windshield frame headrail.



In addition to that...when lowering the rear portion of the soft top...DO IT GENTLY!!!

No need to let it slam. Carefully guide the pins into their respective holes. Lightly push down on the soft top just above where the pins are located until they snap into place.:tu:

[halicat]

I'm more comfortable to hook the windshield latches first, then push down the back pins into place... thats my preference

[carnutdr]

If your car has front mud flaps the sound you hear exiting a drive way is, not the front nose scraping, but the mud flap scraping.
Mort

[BLEW BUYOU]

On front rock guards (splash guards) cut 3/4 to 1 inch off the bottom and save the risk of popped rivets or damaged fender.

[TooHipCat]

If your car has front mud flaps the sound you hear exiting a drive way is, not the front nose scraping, but the mud flap scraping.


This is why I took about an inch of the bottom of the front flaps to prevent this. I used a sharp pair of right angled sheet metal shears to trim them once my cut line was established.

Brian:mrgreen:

[TooHipCat]

I'm more comfortable to hook the windshield latches first, then push down the back pins into place... thats my preference

Same here Jim!!!

I have been told that you are supposed to just hook the front but not completely latch them until the rear portion of the soft top is secured.

I just lock the fronts right away, then proceed to carefully push down (single handed palm) just above each rear pin till they lock in. I have seen no adverse to my soft top by doing it this way. This way also helps not to forget to fully lock my front hooks.:tu:

Brian:mrgreen:

[hotroddaddy]

Keep your wheels as clean as reasonably possible; especially if you still run metallic brake pads and especially with chrome wheels. If the metallic brake dust stays on the wheel and then gets with moisture, it will cause/accelerate chrome pitting. Seems worse with front wheels and their being small diameter makes them tougher to thoroughly clean.

[gldrush]

Replace your speakers with high quality speakers, you will not regert it... the sound is way better. You can do this yourself. the dash and rear speakers are 3.5, the door speakers are 6.75. you can use 6.5 with an adapter. you do not need to replace the sub. the stock sub has enough power/bass. :tu:

Get a the factory trailer as soon as possible, if you are planning to drive and buy anything other than a pack of gum. Weekender would work if you cannot find the trailer. And if you need money fast you can sell them for what you paid for them, because they are becoming a scarce. :burnout

Get a pair of replacement j-hooks and secondary latches that hold the top down. Although the above instructions on securing your top is very good advise and will minimize them from breaking. It is good to have them and they only cost about 60.00 from Art Agstoner. Factory ones cost over 200.00.

Larry Lord sells a product called the Wonderbar. This is a must to making the front end ride better with more stablity rough roads and cornering. It does its job because the his torsion bar is not a stiff as factory. They cost about 300.00 and you can install yourself. As long as you have ramps.

Happy prowlin, :banana: Steve

[halicat]

just a little bump for the newbies....

[halicat]

to the top for all the new owners .....:tu:

[attyedhall]

great thread jim.... for those of you who ARE smarter than a fifth grader (not me obviously): the cd player can only be used when the key is on.....(just learned that after two years of owning the car)

[IN-XTC]

On my front mud flaps i made 3 slits about 1 1/2 inch up so it allows the flap to be flexible so not to damage the fender....

[ME & MY KITTY]

RUSSELL I DON'T LIKE THAT BUT IT'S YOUR PROWLER.:rll:

[IN-XTC]

Rick you cant even see the slits dude ....:roll:

[ME & MY KITTY]

YES I DID ,I BENT DOWN AND THEN I FELT YOU BEHIND ME.:rll:

[catfish]

buy stock in arvin-meritor-they make the window regulators.to avoid bashing the nose,when you think you are not pulled up far enough in a parking spot,you are,its that second pull up that does it.prowler doors can be made to open wider,6 to 7 inches.wider than stock.contact me and ill tell you how.:-D

[KATBIRD]

drive it and enjoy it don't lock it away in a garage they need sunlight
and poeple love to see them going down the road

[1buddyc]

Also, remember that even though you probably keep your Prowler in a Garage, your Wiper Blades will dry out and quit working properly after a few years. I got caught in the Rain this afternoon (first rain here in South Texas in 3 months) and all my wipers did was smear up the windshield. I'll replace them tomorrow.

[IN-XTC]

u use wipers!!!!! wow

[ME & MY KITTY]

I Use This New Rain X Stuff

[TooHipCat]

Also, remember that even though you probably keep your Prowler in a Garage, your Wiper Blades will dry out and quit working properly after a few years. I got caught in the Rain this afternoon (first rain here in South Texas in 3 months) and all my wipers did was smear up the windshield. I'll replace them tomorrow.

Are you going to try one of the NEW low profile design wiper blade assemblies...Buddy? Like the ones that DC posted?

I priced them out...kind of expensive at about $16.00 a blade.

[Dreamcast18]

Are you going to try one of the NEW low profile design wiper blade assemblies...Buddy? Like the ones that DC posted?

I priced them out...kind of expensive at about $16.00 a blade.


TooHip: I got them for $15 for 2 on Amazon.com. (buy 1 get 1 free) I will post when I see the offer is up again. I bought one set for the Acura too and it worked really well. I highly recommend it...but only @ $15 for the set of 2 :tu:

[TooHipCat]

TooHip: I got them for $15 for 2 on Amazon.com. (buy 1 get 1 free) I will post when I see the offer is up again. I bought one set for the Acura too and it worked really well. I highly recommend it...but only @ $15 for the set of 2 :tu:


GREAT PRICE DC!!!

Free shipping?

[ME & MY KITTY]

What Was Special About These Wiper Blades?

[Dreamcast18]

GREAT PRICE DC!!!

Free shipping?

Yep! cuz I ordered 2 sets (one for Prowler and one for the Acura) = $30...no tax either..not that it matters in NH :wink:

Will keep a lookout for it..the promo comes by pretty often.

[TooHipCat]

Yep! cuz I ordered 2 sets (one for Prowler and one for the Acura) = $30...no tax either..not that it matters in NH :wink:

Will keep a lookout for it..the promo comes by pretty often.

Thank you DC!:tu: